Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

This is topic Close Encounters of the Third Kind in forum Film Handlers' Movie Reviews at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Geoff Jones (Member # 3668) on 09-04-2017, 07:55 PM:

I saw this today on the big "Cine Capri" screen at Harkins Northfield and had a blast. It really is a different experience on the big screen. If you can, get out and see it.

However, close your eyes and stick your fingers in your ears for the 10-minute behind-the-scenes introduction, which spoils all of the big moments in the film. Whoever at Sony thought that was a good idea should be fired.

Posted by Daniel Schulz (Member # 1881) on 09-04-2017, 09:59 PM:

quote: Geoff Jones
However, close your eyes and stick your fingers in your ears for the 10-minute behind-the-scenes introduction, which spoils all of the big moments in the film. Whoever at Sony thought that was a good idea should be fired.

Seriously. I saw it yesterday at the Cinerama Dome, and there were a lot of kids in the audience who had never seen it before. I was so angry on their behalf.

Posted by Aron Toplitsky (Member # 6950) on 09-04-2017, 11:57 PM:

Saw this yesterday in a Dolby Cinema theater at the AMC Del Amo in Torrance CA and found the quality of the image disappointing. I noticed a lot of the wide shots looked too soft and almost out of focus. Considering this was scanned from the 35MM original camera negative, I expected a lot better. A friend of mine also saw the film at the AMC Dolby Cinema Empire 25 in NYC. He complained of the same thing. Any thoughts?

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 09-06-2017, 05:12 AM:

quote: Aron Toplitsky
Saw this yesterday in a Dolby Cinema theater at the AMC Del Amo in Torrance CA and found the quality of the image disappointing. I noticed a lot of the wide shots looked too soft and almost out of focus. Considering this was scanned from the 35MM original camera negative, I expected a lot better. A friend of mine also saw the film at the AMC Dolby Cinema Empire 25 in NYC. He complained of the same thing. Any thoughts?

Mid 70s vintage anamorphic lenses and film?

Posted by Thomas Hauerslev (Member # 566) on 09-06-2017, 08:37 AM:

One thing in CE3K which was very sharp in the 70mm version, were the end titles, which were done in 65mm. Glorious film, one of my absolute favorites.

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 09-06-2017, 10:39 AM:

Douglas Trumbull shot all the effects in 65mm but the 70mm release prints did not use the 65mm negative,instead they used an all 35mm final edit to blow up to 70mm.
Trumbull said he was disappointed with that decision.

Blade Runner did use the 65mm effects negatives for 70mm release prints.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-06-2017, 01:17 PM:

Is this the original version or the special edition where Roy goes into the mothership?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 09-06-2017, 01:25 PM:

This 4k re-release is Spielberg's preferred Directors cut but I don't think any version went back to the 65mm effects elements.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 09-06-2017, 08:25 PM:

I saw this today in AMC Tyson's Dolby Cinema screen and outside of some odd very minor blurry moments - the image and sound were fantastic.

for the upcoming 4K UHD edition - all three cuts of the movie were scanned and transferred in 4K.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 09-14-2017, 06:14 PM:

some screen grabs have been slowly leaking of the 4K UHD disc coming out next week, and the HDR color grading is quite remarkable. Restorer Grover Crisp has another excellent restoration/transfer under his belt with this new release.